16:15,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Eurovision Song Contest offered condolences over the death of Armenian singer and songwriter Hayko (Hayk Hakobyan).
“We’re very sorry to hear of the passing of Armenian artist Hayko. Hayko represented his country at Eurovision 2007 where he finished 8th with his touching ballad ‘Anytime You Need’. You will always be in our hearts”, Eurovision said on Twitter.
Hayko died today from COVID-19 at the age of 48.
[see video]
16:47,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The large volume of cargo transportation through the territory of Georgia, as well as the construction works underway at the Upper Lars checkpoint in Russia, have caused traffic jam of trucks on the Tbilisi bypass road, ARMENPRESS reports the Embassy of Armenia in Georgia informed.
‘’For avoiding the traffic jams, if possible, the cargo carriers can carry out cargo transportation through Bavra-Ninotsminda border checkpoint instead of Bagratashen-Sadakhlo checkpoint’’, the Embassy said.
17:54,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Suren Papikyan received Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri. The Deputy PM noted that the strengthening and development of Armenian-Iranian relations are of strategic importance for Armenia. Suren Papikyan highly appreciated the personal contribution of the Ambassador to the deepening of the Armenian-Iranian relations.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Deputy PM, Suren Papikyan stated that the agenda of the Armenian-Iranian relations is quite broad, and no efforts should be spared to fully realize it so as to complete the ongoing programs and announce the start of new ones. The Deputy Prime Minister praised Iran’s official position on the establishment of stability and peace in the region, noting that in the case of multilateral assistance and consistency, the peace agenda can be implemented.
Iranian Ambassador Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri congratulated Suren Papikyan on assuming the post of Deputy Prime Minister, expressing confidence that the effective cooperation will be further expanded. The Ambassador referred to the growing dynamics of bilateral trade and cooperation of the recent months, noting that Governments of young politicians have been formed in both countries, who will work actively to deepen bilateral cooperation.
The parties discussed the situation on the Goris-Kapan road. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that the construction of alternative roads is one of the priorities of the Armenian Government. He informed that the construction of the Tatev-Kapan road is planned to be completed by the end of November, adding that the Tatev-Aghvani road is being built. The construction of Tatev-Ltsen road has also kicked off, which will give an opportunity to bypass the bendy roads of Tatev and will be much more convenient for the traffic of big trucks. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that bypass roads will be built in the Vorotan-Goris section. Touching upon the issue of the Sisian-Kajaran section of the North-South highway, Suren Papikyan informed that the project has already entered the stage of announcing a tender.
The parties also discussed issues related to the Armenian-Iranian economic cooperation, which included the spheres of road construction, energy, new technologies, and mining. Reference was made to the development of cultural relations, based on the historical similarities and friendship of the two peoples.
The forthcoming high-level reciprocal visits were highlighted, which will contribute to the deepening of cooperation in the economic sphere, the maximum use of existing opportunities, the rapid implementation of pending programs and the launch of new initiatives. In this context, the realization of the potential of the EEU market was observed and the importance of the “Persian Gulf-Black Sea” international transport corridor was emphasized as a reliable, safe transit route for all the countries involved in it.
18:31,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. The Embassy of Iran in Armenia citied an article from Iranian newspaper Jam-e Jam, which refers to the accusations of president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed to Iran. ARMENPRESS presents the article quoted by Iran’s Embassy on its Facebook page.
In response to the accusations made by Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev addressed to Iran in an interview with Turkish Anadolu agency, asking ‘’Why Iran did not conduct any exercises in its northern regions during the 30 years when the surrounding regions of Karabakh were under the control of Armenians?’’, Iranian Jam-e Jam newspaper published an article today, saying,
The author also notes that ‘’the non-diplomatic behavior of Azerbaijani president and addressing a message to Iran through Turkish media is nothing but sign of being colonized’’.
17:19,
YEREVAN, 29 SEPTEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs “Armenpress” that today, 29 September, USD exchange rate up by 0.88 drams to 483.49 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.45 drams to 563.99 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 6.65 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.36 drams to 653.97 drams.
The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.
Gold price stood at 27235.71 drams. Silver price stood at 349.97 drams. Platinum price stood at 15299.04 drams.
18:56,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Newly appointed Ambassador of France to Armenia Anne Louyot delivered copies of credentials to Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on September 29.
As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan expressed confidence that Anne Louyot will contribute to the deepening and strengthening of cooperation between Armenia and France in all spheres.
FM Mirzoyan noted that Armenia attaches great importance to the future deepening of the unique relations with France. In this context, the interlocutors first of all discussed the implementation of concrete programs for the promotion and expansion of Armenian-French cooperation in the economic sphere, as well as further prospects for strengthening ties in the educational and cultural spheres.
During the meeting, reference was made to the situation created by the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression against Artsakh, as well as by the penetration of Azerbaijani troops into the sovereign territory of Armenia.
Minister Mirzoyan highly appreciated the great attention of France, its parliament, and personally President Macron paid to the return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages, the protection of historical and cultural heritage in the territories of Artsakh under Azerbaijani control.
Both sides stressed the need for the resumption of peace talks within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs aimed at a comprehensive settlement of the conflict and the establishment of stability and security in the region.
By Karen Harutyunyan, Editor-in-Chief, CivilNet
On the first anniversary of the outbreak of the Second Karabakh / Artsakh War, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not address the nation. If he had, what would his message have been? Here is my imaginary version.
Dear Compatriots,
Today is September 27, the anniversary of the outbreak of the Second Karabakh War. A war that cost us more than 4,000 lives. Hundreds of boys are still missing. Dozens of prisoners suffer in Azerbaijan’s prisons. I thought those boys would forgive us for remaining “a month or two longer” in captivity. But the months pass and they do not return. We do not have clear information about their numbers or condition. Sometimes, when our boys do return, they are accompanied by the bodies of other prisoners.
One year later, many questions remain unanswered. More than 2,000 cases of crimes committed during the war are being investigated.
The truth is that we lost the war because of the enormous amount of corruption in the country and in the armed forces, and because we had been deceived by myths about our boundless power – a myth that I myself believed.
There are many questions that need answers in order for us to understand the reasons for Armenia’s defeat. As a society, as a state, as a nation, we must try to find the answers to these questions and prevent the recurrence of such a calamity in the future.
Today, however, I would like to answer questions about my share of guilt and responsibility.
Did I comprehend the full complexity of the Karabakh conflict after taking office in 2018?
In the post-revolutionary euphoric environment, I failed to understand the existential significance of the Karabakh issue for our state and our people. My pronouncements that “I began the negotiations from my own personal starting point”, and that “we are negotiating for whatever we want”, that “the settlement of the Karabakh conflict must be acceptable for the people of Armenia, the people of Artsakh and the people of Azerbaijan” had no analytical basis and were simply my heart’s desires.
I naively believed that I had taken unprecedented and clever steps. I did not understand the tremendous diplomatic work carried out by my so-hated predecessors. They, in fact, had worked to reach a basic negotiation principle, which was the realization of the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh to self-determination through the free _expression_ of their will.
At that time, I was only guided by my rejection of everything that came before me. Since the day I came to power, those who were in power before me constantly accused me of selling out lands, realizing very well the fatal state of the Karabakh negotiations. I swallowed that bait, which resulted in the hopeless statement “Artsakh is Armenia. Period.” Another one of my obvious diplomatic failures was the primitive Munich debate, in which I participated without properly doing my homework.
Today, I am struggling to answer this question: Could I have prevented the war?
I do not know. Perhaps. But at the very least I should have tried not to bring war closer to us.
I naively thought that “the victorious battles in July 2020 proved that there is no military solution to the Karabakh issue“, that “we will have a new war, and new territories“, that “Turkey will not interfere“.
My other question is this: Could I have stopped the war?
I thought that “we’d be able to break the enemy’s backbone“, and then I did not dare stop the war so that “people would not say ‘Nikol, traitor’“.
It’s true that I did not have the courage of a leader at a time when many people and many things could still be saved.
I regret all of this. I truly do.
Dear Compatriots,
I used to say “Artsakh is Armenia. Period.” but one year after the war, Armenia’s leader can no longer set foot in Artsakh. This is the harsh reality.
To the relatives of the dead, the missing, the captives, the wounded:
I understand the impossibility of what I ask, but please forgive me.
—
*All phrases in quotes are excerpts from Pashinyan’s statements of the last three years.
Credits: Ruptly
19:07,
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi as productive, ARMENPRESS reports, Erdoğan wrote in his Telegram account following the meeting.
“After fruitful talks with my colleague Putin, we left Sochi,” he wrote.
The meeting of the two Presidents lasted for about three hours, they did not make a statement to the press. The situation in Nagorno Karabakh was discussed, inter alia. Putin referred to the activities of the Center for the Monitoring of the Ceasefire Regime in Nagorno-Karabakh, noting that Russian-Turkish cooperation in this issue is a “serious guarantee of stability” in the region.